Another blue XXX on eBay

[charles~richard]

I only draw your attention to this one because of the hilarious item description the seller wrote!


http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-ELECTRO...yZ115993QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[lux1521]

Very funny indeed!

On a more technical note, it appears that the filter cover is not the original. It does not have the dual blower doors that I would expect on that version.

 

[aeoliandave]

And then there is this gem coming up.

I mean, to me this is a highly coveted gem to help complete my American Lux XXX lineup. With the blue LX patterned vinyl tank fabric...but not at that opening bid. Arghhhhhhh.....

Suddenly, the factory refurb blue hammertone XXX above is looking awfully attractive as well - it's only a couple or 3 hours away in Toledo for personal pickup. Mmm...

dave

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120293067216&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=002

 

[crevicetool]

How clever...

At least the seller has a sense of humor...I like that

thanks, Charles

 

[charles~richard]

It's the correct rear cover, Erick. This is a factory rebuild, and it's the 1948 version. See link.

And ÆolianDave, the one in the link you posted is a bojack rebuild. The easiest way to tell this is how the leatherette is puckered in two places on the rear end. Electrolux factory work was never this sloppy. Worth more like 9.99 than 99.99.......



http://137.com/lux/luxxxxxx.html

 

[charles~richard]

erg, Erick, I meant to say, the one in the link I posted, with the blue-painted side rails, is a 1947 version - note the flat runners. Then the one Æ-D just posted is the 1949 version; flat runners and saloon-type rear doors.

 

[aeoliandave]

Good eye, Rick. my guess is someone had a 52 body can and thought it would look better with chrome & polished ends (I wouldn't disagree) and jammed it together carelessly wrinkling the LX vinyl...and that is the LX pattern.

So...if I had both machines, swapped back the factory hammertone bits, polished out the bag cover fins & side trim, re-laid the vinyl and latched on a hammertone cordwinder...

Oh, never mind. Makes more sense to check out my 6th LX, the rusty beater parts machine and see if the leatherette is in one piece at the front under the handle and could be peeled off big enough to fit an XXX. Oh, never mind again.

But someday I really would like a last gasp XXX to match the LXs. {]

Enthusiastic Dreamin' Dave

 

[lux1521]

I thought this was a '52 era model, prior to the LX style leatherette being introduced. I did not notice the runners being flat. Whoops!

I did sent the seller an email asking what the wattage is, just to get one more factor in. I'm just wondering if it might be mixed up, like Kirby factory rebuilds frequently were.

 

[aeoliandave]

Well, I had to go for it. Why? Because of the cloth weave hose and the paint job. Whether it is a genuine Electrolux refurb or a Metropolitan bojack job, it will at least be an good complete example of an XXX painted refurb in the collection. I'll be real interested in examining the paint. Hammertone baked enamel or scratchable spray paint. Also, I knew from previously contacting 'VacMom'aka Vaccraft Industries, that I would be able to do a personal pick-up.

And I've wanted to meet VacMom Laura Bytwerk, anyway sometime - she has quite a few used vacuums come up in her auction business. I almost got a turquoise Dyson DC07 but missed it by minutes.

Missed this Royal Cylinder Set, too, dammit! by 10 minutes. Grrrrr

Hope one of us 'bought-it-now'. Do tell...

Dave, heading to Toledo on Monday - hope to locate the old Air-Way plant while there. I know there's a thread about that building...

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140258557906&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=004

 

[charles~richard]

I agree, the hose looks very nice and certainly worth the price of admission.

 

[aeoliandave]

1947 (?) Hammertone XXX update

Intense examination took place this afternoon. Although it is clear the vacuum was totally disassembled before painting the various parts it does seem odd that the side trims as well were painted. While the vacuum is clearly badged as an Electrolux Factory BRANCH rebuild I can only assume that branch manager decided to exercise some creative license.

One huge anomaly has come to light that I haven't the knowledge or experience to explain. So here goes with a 9 picture photo essay.

 

[aeoliandave]

First, the exterior. hose and painted tools from all sides - 4 pix.

Side

 

[aeoliandave]

Top

 

[aeoliandave]

Backside

 

[aeoliandave]

Front. Where the fun begins. The clue is the side profile of the cover latch lever...

Btw, the cord is as supple as new with original molded on Electrolux plug and socket. It is also quite thick compared to later XXX cords, the like of which I have only seen on original but crumbling XII & XXX cords.

The cloth weave hose is I'd say 98% airtight still.

 

[aeoliandave]

Side by side comparison of an unpolished cover and the blue one.

So far almost identical.

 

[aeoliandave]

Now for some differences.

Same covers - inside plates. Attachment points for screws are different as is the die-stamped pattern particularly in the intake area.

Clue two is the shape of the latch tongues and look closely at the background behind those tongues...

 

[aeoliandave]

Here's the surprise, at least to me.

The hammertone's cover is not an aluiminum casting, it is a die stamping. So is the latch lever a piece of stamped and folded steel brilliance with three exterior rounded ribs as opposed to the cast lever's 5 stepped edges.

The latch tongue mechanism is geared to rotate the tongues upward to lock position, as opposed to the side sliding action of the cast cover.

 

[aeoliandave]

The usual Cast aluminum cover and simplified latch mechanism I am familiar with...up until now.

Charles, please, what do you make of this? Is the stamped steel a genuine Electrolux cover? From which era?

Dave...perplexed.